Statement from Bishop Creighton regarding the recent Primates' Meeting

The leaders of the 38 Provinces of the global Anglican Communion, called Primates, have just concluded their annual meeting in Ireland. They issued a Communique on February 24, 2005. The basic intention of the meeting was to seek ways and means to providing healing and understanding in the Anglican Communion in the aftermath of the election, in 2003, of the Bishop of New Hampshire. He is a gay man who has been in a committed partnership for some 15 years. It is important to note that the Commuique wants all to know “…our meeting has been characterized by generosity of spirit, and a readiness to respect one another’s integrity, with Christian charity and abundant goodwill.”

There is another body in The Anglican Communion that deals with global unity – the Consultative Council. This body convenes this June, and every three years. It has lay, deacon, priest, and bishop representation from all 38 Provinces. The Primates Communique asks the Episcopal Church USA to “voluntarily withdraw” its representation to this Council for a period while the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church in Canada share their experience and theology with the Council. This is an awkward request, but the bishops think it will provide a way to move forward together. I say this is “awkward” for Americans because it is integral to the Episcopal Church that everyone is at the Table. All the diversity of our Church has always been valued and the voice of their faith perspective is needed at the Table. My personal, and professional sense is that no one should be uninvited to the Table of dialogue and Communion. I would maintain there is overwhelming evidence in Jesus’ ministry that everyone was asked to be at the Table, including disciples who did not understand, denied and even betrayed. It is difficult to understand how distance provides reconciliation.

Most of the major wire services got it wrong in their February 25 reporting. The Episcopal Church was not “suspended.” Such language is not in the Communique. I find it interesting how many news services obviously never read or quoted either the Communique itself or Presiding Bishop’s Griwold’s release.

Further, two weeks ago one of our area newspapers published an article that said there was a significant decrease in giving in The Episcopal Church. This is absolutely not the case. Giving to the ministry and mission of the national budget in the year in question (2004) was actually $2 million more than projected. Had the writer of that article done even minimal research, he would have learned that the only factor affecting national finances are four dioceses in the Episcopal Church that give nothing. What is given by 80 other dioceses more than makes up for such negligence. Further, during these years of significant difference, giving in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania has moved ahead, year by year. We are focused on our mission to love and serve the people in Central Pennsylvania, and we are not deterred. Yes, many more congregations have deficit budgets, but that is more accurately attributed to the weak economy in small town America and to the need for more faithful and generous personal stewardship.

Lastly, the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania has lively, healthy and helpful global relationships in the Anglican Communion. We are deeply engaged in a companion relationship with the Diocese of Sao Paulo, Brazil. We will be welcoming many Brazilians this year, and they will be welcoming many of us as we seek ways to support one another. As well we are engaged in supporting eight Medical Clinics and two hospitals in the Diocese of So. Rwrenzori, Uganda that battle disastrous HIV/AIDS infection. A group of physicians and medical people will be traveling this summer to assess how we can help more, medically and socially. Those Ugandan bishops have visited Central Pennsylvania and are solidly our brothers in Christ. However global conversations and church politics turn out in the coming months and years, the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania will always be engaged with brothers and sisters in Christ around the world in faithful and loving service.

The Rt. Rev. Michael Creighton
Bishop of Central Pennsylvania

For additional information:

Statement from the Presiding Bishop, 2/25/05

Communique of the Primates' Meeting, 2/24/05